Industrial truck



4 E; J. ABBE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Jan. 27, 1923 4 sheets-sheet Oct. 16, 1928.

E. J. ABBE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Jan. 27, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet Oct. 16, 1928. 1,688,131

E. J. ABLBE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Jan. 27, 1923 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 III s I, 57 210 i Oct. 16, 1928.

E. J. ABBE.

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Jan. 27, 1925 4 Shee'tS-Sheet 4 ma/q Ma a I I T 0:1ZNZXS Patented oct. 16, 1 92 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD J. AI BBE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE ELWELL-PABKER ELEG- TIRrIfIi COMPANY, CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO,

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

Application filed January 27, 1923. Serial 1%. 615,203.

This invention is concerned with hoisting I cranes adapted to be mounted on vehicles such as industrial trucks and is more particularly directed to the provision of poweroperated winding mechanisms therefor.

The general obj ect-of the present invention isthe provision of a crane truck having a winding mechanism adapted to act on a boom mounted on a truck and also act upon a load suspended from the boom independently of the movement of the boom; the winding mechanism therefor comprising a plurality of winding units 'actingon thelcables and selectively actuated b a single motor mechanism readily contro led from the drivers position on the truck. v

A more specific object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic me- Y mechanisms adapted to alternately couplechanical control mechanism for an industrial crane having a single motor operating a plurality of cable drums adapted to raise or lower a boom or to raise or lower a load while the boom is held stationary.

My invention also contemplates the pro- Vision of an automatically controlled braking and power engaging device operable from -'a drivers position on an industrial crane truck to apply torque from theshaft of a single motor to a plurality of cable winding mechanisms.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a plurality of clutch engaging winding drums of independent winding mechanisms with power means and a plurality of brake means automatically cooperating therewith to arrest the movement of a winding mechanism being uncoupled from the power means while simultaneously releasing the braking mechanism acting upon another winding mechanism being coupled to the'power means.

Other objects will become apparent from the following description, taken in: connection with the accompanying drawings, and

the essential features will be summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is aside elevation of an industrial crane truck, the winding mechanism of which embodies my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the truck; Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional plan viewon a plane passing through the motor shaft; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the Wind ng mechanism; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 41 and showing a brake arrangement for arresting movement of the winding mechanism; Fi 6 is a view of a pair of brake Shoes taken su stantially along the line 66 of Flg. 5; and Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of a compensating mechanism for the winding mechanism control.

Referring to the general arrangement of the elements comprising the truck and crane by reference characters in Fi 1, I show an industrial truck provided wit a load transporting platform 10 rigid with the frame of the truck, there being small steering wheels 11 disposed beneath the platform 10 and large motor driven wheels 12 disposed at the forward operators end of the truck. Adjacent the operators end of the truck is a platform 13 which usually comprises control means.

for a motor actuating the large drive wheels 12. A steering arm 14 is disposed at a suitable height for convenient operation and is connected b a mechanism (not shown) with the forward small steering wheels 11. Secured to the platform 10 is a base member 15 in the nature of a pedestal for a column member 16, the column member 16 and the base 15 constitute a pivotal mounting for the revoluble member 17 comprising pivotal connecting means for the boom 18; the member 17 having an extension formed thereon to provide a ivotal connection for the lower end of the 00m 18 in offset relation to the column member 16. A forwardly extending platform 19 comprises a support for a battery housing 20, upon the upright surface of which I prefer to mount my winding mechanism as a unit- 'The particular arrangement of the foregoing described elements comprising the truck and crane do not enter into the resent invention. They may, however, be ormed in accordance with the disclosure set forth in the prior patent to Clyde E. Cochran No. 1,481,351 on an industrial truck wherein is disclosed a motor-operated crane structure such as has been herein referred to and wherein the battery, the motor actuating the boom, etc., are so positioned on the truck as to counterbalance the boom and a load suspended therefrom.

Inaccordance with the objects of my present invention, I provide two sets of winding mechanisms, one acting upon a cable to raise and lower the boom, while the other acts upon a second cable to raise or lower a load suspended by the boom, each winding mechanism being selectively driven by a single motor. The arrangement of the means for coupling the motor to the respective winding mechanisms is such that immediately upon disconnecting the motor from driving relation with one winding mechanism, a brake mechanism automatically acts to prevent a reverse or paying out movement of that mechanism. I propose to mount a plurality of drums, and driving means for each,

adjacent the operators position and in such manner as to prevent fouling of the cables and so located as not to interfere with the operators vision.

I prefer to embody such a mechanism in duplicate whereby a coupling action.of a single control lever disposed adjacent the operators position on the truck will. connect one winding mechanism to the motor and simultaneously cause a braking mechanism to arrest movement of a second winding mechanism and vice versa. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, I provide a cable drum 25 acting on cable stretches 26, one of which passes over one of two sheaves 27 supported on a pin 28 and blocks 29 secured to the outermost curved end 18 of the boom 18. The cable 26 extends rearwardly from the sheave 27 and passes over a second sheave 32 mounted on a suitable sheave block 33 supported by a bracket 33 rigid with the supporting frame 34 of the winding mechanism and thence forwardly with the'end thereof secured to a gusset plate rigidly mounted on the boom adjacent the sheaves 27. A winding or drawing-in of the cable 26 by the drum 25 will swing the boom 18 about its pivot pin 18 and thus shorten the distance between the center of the column 16 and the pivot pin 28 of the sheave 27, which is the moment arm of the crane.

A second set of cable stretches are provided for raising and lowering the load independently of any movement of the boom which cable stretches may be actuated by a second winding drum 40. The cable 41 extends from the drum 4O outwardly and passes over one of the sheaves 27 thence downwardly and around a load lifting sheave 42 suitably supported by a block 43 and thence extends upwardly and is also secured to the gusset plate 35. The block 43 is preferably provided with a chain hook 44 for engaging the load or any suitable container carrying the load.

The mechanism actuating the drum 25 or the drum 40, as desired, is as follows As shown in Figs, 3 and 4, the winding drums 25 and are rigidly mounted on shaft members and 51 respectively which are journaled in the frame member 34, the drum 40 being mounted in the frame memher at a higher level than the drum 25 to proa support for one end of the shaft members 50 and 51 while portions'34 are formed integral with an inner wall 34 of the frame which-divides the frame into a drum compartment 53 and gear compartment 54. Disposed within the gear compartment 54 are Worm shafts 56 and 57, the worms thereof engaging worm gears 58 and 59 rigidly mounted on the drum shafts 50 and 51 respectively.

It will be noted that I have arranged the pair of worm shafts 56 and 57 with the axes thereof in alignment and extending below the drum 40 and above the drum 25. This arrangement, I find'to be convenient in that I may use similar worms and worm gears for driving the drums in opposite directions while obtaining a very compact arrangement of the driving means which I actuate the drums. This arrangement likewise afl'ords avery convenient adaptation of two sets of braking mechanisms, each one indirectly acting on the respective drums through reduction gearing.

Suitable bearing portions 34 are accordingly formed integral with the frame wall 34 to provide a support for anti-friction bearings 59 which support the inner ends of the worm shafts 56 and 57, the outer ends of the shafts being also supported by the frame. Secured to the inner ends of the worm shafts 56 and 57 are oppositely disposed clutch members 61 and 62 which may be alternately engaged by a motor driven clutch sleeve 64. The ends of the sleeve are provided with clutch teeth 64 and 64 which are adapted to engage similar teeth 62 and 61 formed on the clutch members 62 and 61 respectively in a manner to be presently described.

The clutchsleeve 64 is drivingly connected to the motor 68 by a bevel gear 69 meshing with a pinion 70 mounted on an inner extension 71 of the motor shaft 72; the motor shaft being provided with a bearing 73 supported by an extension of the partition wall 34, thus facilitating the alignment of the two motor bearings and the bearing 73. It will be noted that by providing an independent bearing for the bevel gear 69 and slidably mounting the'clutch sleeve 64 in the bearing,

slight inaccuracies in the alingment of the clutch sleeve 64 and worm shafts 56 and 57 do not interfere with the elficient transmission of power from the motor 68 to the winding drums 25 and 40.

To arrest movement of either of the cable drums 25 and 40 immediately upon dis-' relative disposition of such brake mechanism to the entire winding mechanism is shown at 75 and 76 in Fig. 4 and in cross section in F ig. 3 and as will be seen, is disposed to act upon the outer ends of the worm gear shafts.

This mechanism may comprise brake drums 77 rigid] 'secured to the ends of the worm gear sha ts by key members 77 and by clamping nuts 79, which serve to maintain the drum members 77 in clamped relation to the rotatable portion of the antifriction bearings 60. The brake drums 77 are enclosed by casing members 80 rigidly fixed to the winding mechanism frame 34 in any convenient manner whereby the housing members-may support arcuately formed brake shoes 81 as shown in Fig. 5. The brake shoes 81 may have a common pivotal mounting comprising a, stud pin 82 secured to the casing member 80, each brake shoe being so formed as to extend around substantially one-half the circumference of the brake drum. A friction lining 83 may be carried by the brake-shoes whereby the action of a spring member 84, in. drawing the brake shoes toward 1 each other, may cause the brake lining 88 to be pressed against the brake drum in a well-known mannerand in 85 may extend through a suitable open mg formed in an extension of the other brake shoe whereby the spring maybe maintained in a' pre-compressed condition be tween a nut 86 positioned on one end of the pin 85 and the extension of the brake shoe. The spring member 84 thus tends to normally maintain the brake shoes in close relation upon the drum 77.

-; ;operators position on the truck.

To release the braking action, a cam member 87 is disposed between opposite faces of the brake shoe extensions and adjacent the pin member 85. This arm is preferably formed on the inner end of a stud member 88 pivotally mounted on the casing v A partial rotation of the stud member 88 will cause the cam portions 87 to spread the brake shoes and further compress the spring 84, thus drawing the brake lining 83 out of contact 5 with the brake drum.

. It isdesirable that the foregoing described braking and release actions be in timed relation with the coupling or uncoupling action of the sleeve 64." I therefore provide a system of links and levers whereby the coupling or uncoupling of either of, the winding drums with the motor and the proper-com.

trol of the respective braking mec hanisms may be effected -by the'manipulatmn of a single'control leverlpositioned ad acent the As it-is desirable to use a positive or tooth clutch mechanism such as hereinbefore described in preference to a friction clutch or other type of clutch, I prefer to incorporate in this control mechanism, .means whereby the clutch sleeve 64 will be urged to engagement with either of the clutch members 61 and 62 irrespective of the incidental relation of the inter-engaging teeth of each, im-

mediately upon manipulation 'of said control lever. I

Such a control mechanism may comprise a clutch shipper bar 90 slidably mounted within the gear compartment 54 of the frame 34 and which may carry a yoke'or collar 91 engaging annular flanges 64 formed on the clutch sleeve 64, the shipper bar 90 being so positioned in the casin as to be shiftably parallel with the axis 0 the clutch sleeve.

Mechanical connection between a controlbar 90. This lever ma be mounted on a pin 93 pivotally mounte on the frame member 34 and with the outer end thereof in engagement with an exteriorly disposed rocker lever 95. The rocker lever 95 is connected to /the control lever 92 through a downwardly extending link member 96, a -lever member 97 and a 'rod 98 extending transversely of the winding mechanism and suitably mounted on the battery housing of the truck. The operators lever 92 is mounted'on the opposite or left end of the rod 98. A downward movement of the control lever 92 will thus cause the clutch sleeve 64 to couple the motor with the winding drum 40; an upion ward movement of the lever will cause the,

sleeve 64 to couple the motor 68 with the winding drum 25 It i'sj' characteristic of such a clutching mechanismthatthe teeth formed on the en of the clutch sleeve 64: will frequently not I link and lever. mechanism were hesitant or tardy. I therefore prefer to incorporate -a compensating'device in the link mechanism whereby the operator may-immediately shift the control lever 92 to-either its extreme up per or lower position regardless'of the relation of the clutch teeth. The connection of the compensating mechanism is such as to constantly urgeythe teeth formed on the the clutch member 61.

clutch sleeve into engagement with the clutch teeth of either clutch member mounted on the worm shafts.

This device may comprise a pair of precompressed springs 101 and 102 positioned within a spring barrel 103 whereby the force of the respective springs may be opposed. The spring barrel in effect comprises a part of the connecting rod 961 As shown in Fig. 7, the spring barrel 103 is provided w1th an inner annular shoulder 104 intermediate its ends and of a Width corresponding to the thickness of a disc member 105 secured to the upper end of the connecting rod 96, Washer members 106 and 107 are normally maintained in abutting relation on the shoulder by the action of the spring members 101 and 102 which are placed in the opposite ends of the barrel 103 and maintained in pre-compressed condition by cap members 108 and 109 respectively. The latter member is provided witha bifurcated end 109 to afford suitable engagement thereof to the rocker lever 95. The Washer members 106 and 107 are also in engagement with the disc memher 105.

It will thus be seen that. the downward movement of the control lever 92 will cause the clutch sleeve 64 to engage the clutch member 61 if the teeth are in proper alignment. If however, the teeth are not in proper alignment, the spring 101 will be further compressed by the movement of the rod 96 relative to the barrel 103 and when the clutch sleeve 64 is rotated a sufficient amount to bring the respective teeth into alignment, the spring 101 will immediately act to shift the clutch member64 into engagement with A similar action will be brought about by the, spring 102 when the control lever is moved to its uppermost position.

To properly time the operation of the two sets of braking mechanisms, whereby the braking mechanism acting on the drum may be released simultaneously with the action of either spring member 101 or 102, I prefer to control the respective braking mechanisms by movement of the rocker lever 95 which as has been seen, is controlled by the operation of the lever 92. The brake control mechanism may comprise link members 110 and 111 con nected to arms '112 and 113 respectively which may be formed integrally with the rocker lever 95. The link members 110 and 111 may be connected to lever members 115 which are mounted exteriorly of the brake housings on projections of the stud members 88. The relation of the arms 112 and 113 to the rocker arm 95 is such that when the rocker lever causes the clutch sleeve 64- to couple the motor 68 to either one of the winding mechanisms, the respective braking mechanism cooperating therewith will be released and vice versa. By so controlling the braking mechanisms, it will be apparent that either one of the braking mechanisms will not be released immediately upon manipulation of the control lever 92 bythe operator but is actuated when either spring 101 or 102 functions in the manner described.

From the foregoing description of my in vention, it is evident that I provide a compact winding mechanism including a plurality of cable drums which may be selectively operated by a single control lever positioned adjacent the forward end of the truck. All overwinding or over-slacking of the cables by rotation of the armature shaft after power has been disconnected from the motor is eliminated, inasmuch as the motor may continue to rotate without any disadvantageous effect on the winding mechanism. Furthermore in loading and unloading the truck, the 'load may be raised or lowered witlrthe boom in fixed position by a single motor without starting and stopping the motor for the various manipulations of the coupling mechanism. The nature of the con trol mechanism is such that an unskilled operator could operate the winding mech anism without ensuing damage to the engag ing and disengaging parts of the clutching mechanism. It may also be noted that I have arranged the foregoing described mechanism in such a manner as to obtain a compact, strong and efficient winding unit which is readily operated and of such dimensions as to be positioned upon the truck in counterbalancing relation to the boom without interfering with the operators vision.

I claim 1. In a winding mechanism of the character described, the, combination of a pair of drums, a frame. supporting the drums, a motor mounted on the frame, said drums and motor having the axes thereof parallel, a pair of aligned shafts having the axes thereof extending transversely to the drum axes, one of said shafts being disposed above the axis-of one of the drums, while' the other is disposed below the axis of the other drum, like worm gears associated with each of the drums, worms mounted on said shafts for driving the drums in opposite directions, clutch means disposed between said worm shafts and gear means drivin'gly connecting the motor to said clutch means.

2. In a winding mechanism of the character described, the combination of a pair of winding drums, a frame, a motor supported by the frame, a reduction gearing associated with each of the drums, coupling mechanism drivingly disposed between the -1notor and said reduction gearing including a pair of aligned shafts, one for each of the drums, a. gear interposed between the motor and said shafts, and a clutch member slidably mounted in the gear and adaptedto connect the gear with the shafts selecwinding drums, reduction gearing associated with each-of the drums and arranged to drive the drums, a motor, mutually aligned shafts, one for each gearing, a rotatable sleeve having a geared connection with the motor and a slidable member mounted in the sleeve and arranged to be shifted to 5 couple the sleeve selectively with the shafts whereby the motor may be alternately .connected to the drums, and braking mechanism associated with each drum and arranged to arrest movement of the drums when disconnected from the power.

A winding mechanism comprising a pair of winding drums, a motor, a worm gear associated with each winding drum, a shaft above one of the drums, a second shaft below the other drum, said shafts being aligned, Worms on the shafts engaging the worm gears, and a shiftable member disposed between the motor and each of the worm gears whereby the motor may be alternately connected in driving relation to the drums.

5. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a pair of drums, a frame sup orting the drums, a motor mounted on t e frame, the driving shaft of which extends parallel to the drums, a pair of aligned shafts having the axes thereof extending transversely to the drum and motor shaft axes, reduction gearing for each of said aligned shafts for connecting the same to the drums, a gear driven by the motor shaft and havinga bearing support in the frame, a clutch member slidable alongthe axis of the gear and supported by the gear, clutch members on each of said aligned shafts cooperating therewith, brakes arranged to act on the aligned shafts, one for each of said shafts and means for connecting the first named clutch member to the brakes whereby when the-clutch member is in driving relation to one of the aligned shafts, the brake of that shaft is released and the brake of the other shaft is applied.

6. Awinding mechanism comprisingapair of winding drums having parallel axes, a frame therefor, a motor mounted on the frame disposed at one end of one of the drums, a gearing mounted on the frame at the other end of said drums, a driving shaft for the motor extending parallel to the drums axes, said gearing comprising reduction gear units, one for each of the drums, each unit having a driving shaft and said driving shafts being in mutual alignment, a gearing arranged to connect the motor shaft to said aligned shafts and a slidable clutch member movable from one to the other of the aligned shafts and having a permanent connection with one of the gears of said last named gearing.

7. In a mechanism of the character described, a pair of drums, a frame supporting the drums, power means mounted on the frame, a reduction gearing for each of the drums, said gearing including a worm gear and a worm shaft, one for each of the drums, said worm shafts having their axes in mutual alignment, each of said worm shafts having a brake at its outer end, a rotatable member driven b the power means, a clutch member sli able in said rotatable member located between said worm shafts, cooperating clutch members on the 'inner ends of said worm shafts and a connection between said slidable member and both of the brakes whereby when the slidable EDWARD J. ABBE. 

